Darrell M McCracken

Darrell Michael McCracken, a life-long resident of Conrad and the Ledger Community, passed away on October 24, 2016, in Conrad of heart failure. He was 73.

Darrell was born on May 15, 1943, at the St Mary’s Catholic Hospital in Conrad to Woodrow and Betty McCracken of Ledger.  Darrell was the first of four children and was raised on the family farm and ranch 25 miles East of Conrad in the Ledger Community.  Darrell attended the Union School from kindergarten through the Eighth grade.  After graduating the Eighth grade, Darrell went on to attend his high school years at Conrad High School in Conrad.  During the course of his high school years, Darrell participated in various activities such as junior varsity football his freshman year and was a member of the FFA and local 4-H Club.  Darrell graduated from high school in 1961.

After graduating high school in 1961, Darrell enlisted in the United States Navy. Darrell’s primary duties in the Navy were in the area of Diesel Mechanics.

On June 29, 1968, Darrell married Reba Jo Berland at the Pondera Valley Lutheran Church in Conrad.  The newlyweds honeymooned at the Grand Canyon before returning home to start their life and family on the McCracken family farm.  Darrell and Reba had two children born of their marriage, Shannen Lee and Aaron Patrick.  Darrell lived and worked on the family in Ledger, until the farm was sold in 1979; then farmed and was owner and operator of a custom harvesting business until 1986.

Darrell then moved to Arizona 1986 and held several jobs before moving to the East Bay Area and working for Hertz Equipment Rental as a shop supervisor until 1996.

Darrell returned home to Conrad in 1997 to be near his family and friends.  He went to work for Zomer Truck Company in Conrad where he worked as a truck buyer until 2001.  Darrell then went on to work for lifelong family friend Joe Russell until 2002.  In 2002, Darrell went to work for Torgersen’s Inc., of Etheridge and sold farm equipment until he retired in July 2013.

In his retirement, Darrell was able to winter in Blythe, California and return to Kalispell and Seeley Lake area for summer and fall.

As he had done for the previous two years, Darrell was preparing to head down south the following week before he passed away.  He was blessed that before passing away, he spent two days with his son Aaron and the next day with his daughter Shannen.  He had traveled to Conrad to say goodbye to his mother when he passed away.

Darrell is survived by his mother, Betty Boots Bills of Conrad; daughter Shannen Lee of Helena; son Aaron Patrick of Bozeman; grandchildren, Brendan Gaylord of Mercer Island, WA, Holly Rossmiller of Missoula, Kristin Rossmiller of Helena; Brooke and Henry McCracken of Bozeman and great-grandson Brady; sisters Judy South of Lolo, and Carol McCracken of Billings.  Darrell is preceded in death by his father Woodrow Wilson McCracken and his brother David McCracken.

Darrell loved a good story, and visiting with friends.  He enjoyed being outdoors and riding his ATV.  He also had a lifelong love of farming and mechanics, reading and travel.

A memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, November 5 at the Moose Lodge in Conrad.  With Darrell’s lifelong love of farming and proud naval service, the family would like to suggest memorial donations to local FFA chapters, and veteran charities.